Title

Author(s) Information

Department

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department

Degree Name

BS in Agricultural Systems Management

Date

12-2015

Advisor(s)

Daniel Howes

Abstract/Summary

This project discusses the evaluation, design, and cost analysis of a 256 acre almond orchard. This is a high flow low head system, and the application method is referred to as dual line drip. The system will be designed to be able to meet weekly water requirements within a tight time constraint, and it is important that it can do so efficiently while providing good uniformity.

A dual line drip system was designed for this almond orchard using the correct engineering standards and integrated field and farmer constraints. The system design was based on a peak evapotranspiration rate of 7.69 inches per month. The weekly operating hours for the entire parcel would be 96 hours, 4 days a week for 24 hours. The design DU was 0.93, and the final DU of the manifold came out to be 0.96. The system operates with an application rate of 0.087 inches/hour. The total fixed cost to install the entire system will be $363,024 or $1,418 per acre, not including pump and labor.